An in-depth after class discussion with one of his students lead Southwestern College philosophy professor Luke Cuddy to start a podcast.
The idea for the podcast was to capture the expansive dialogue he had with students, colleagues and others in relation to philosophy and events in the world around them.
“(Podcasting) is just a way to discuss different ideas, from abstract ideas to things like the philosophy of death to more concrete ideas like the implications of (President) Trump’s policies,” he said.
The Southwestern College Podcast aired its first episode about a year ago with production slowly coming along.
Today, the podcast is six episodes in with the most recent episode airing last March with a discussion about death. Other topics the podcast has covered include the Louis C.K. sexual harassment scandal, a conversation about gaming, and an episode entirely on the nonduality, meditation and true self.
“I’m not going into these podcasts with any expectation,” he said. “I’m going in to have a conversation, learn some new things and hear what other folks have to say and listen to their opinions.”
Featured guests have included two of Cuddy’s former students and Southwestern College Philosophy Professor Peter Bolland to talk about Eastern Philosophy.
Recording of The Southwestern College Podcast takes place with a laptop on campus in Cuddy’s office, the rest of the production happens in his home studio in Chula Vista.
Cuddy has used The Southwestern College Podcast as a tool for missed opportunity.
Cuddy was invited to this year’s American Philosophical Convention in Savannah, Georgia.
However, he could not get to the convention in time because of a snowstorm on the East Coast. So, he used the podcast to speak with someone who attended the convention.
As the podcast evolves, Cuddy said he would like it to serve as a forum for on campus issues and debates.
“It would be a way to get some deeper conversations going on in the campus community,” he said. I would like the discussion to be based in reason and based on respectful conversation and respect for different points of view.”
Cuddy, 38, is the main person behind the mic as he serves as host, producer, and audio engineer. He hopes to find a permanent co-host who can provide a comedic and knowledgeable balance with his hosting style.
This is Cuddy’s first foray into the podcasting world but he has worked with audio equipment before, stemming from his days when he was in a band.
Cuddy, an avid podcast listener, said he tries to model The Southwestern College Podcast after one of his favorites called “Very Bad Wizards,” a podcast with a philosopher and a psychologist.
The Southwestern College Podcast can be heard on SoundCloud.
